KIA Soul oil level reading is different

[odie]

The oil level was LOW ( photo above ) from the factory . Wonder if this occurred with other KIA vehicles past and present , especially the '25 Soul or earlier ( '20 - 24 ) with the 2.0 Ltr. w/ M.P.I.. Hopefully it won't get much lower . Plan to change oil with P.U.P. 0w-20 ) and filter ( undecided ) before 1,000 miles and then later at 5,000 > 6,000 miles ( spring of '25 ) .

 

[odie]

Checked yesterday . Used the method with oil cap off and dipstick out while waiting 15 minutes to drain into pan . The SOUL is in its early break period of 600 miles ( 268 mis. ) . The 2.0 Ltr. engine gets 4.23 quarts . How much do you think is in it and what it would take to get near or at the FULL mark . Or should I stay at this LEVEL ? Never encountered this low amount in a new engine . Should I change the oil and filter below the break in period of 600 miles ? Would be using P.U.P. 0w-20 and CARQUEST Premium 85334 or MICROGUARD MSL51334 .

Car was driven both times for 25.4 miles before checking the LEVEL .

10/23 Wednesday evening .

10/25 Firday evening .

 

[Triple_Se7en]

My Soul 2.0 holds 4.23 qts also. But I feed it 4.5 quarts to reach the full-mark on the dipstick. I always check cold and never even bring a paper towel. All I do is pull the dipstick - read it - reinsert and close the hood. It'll show me when it's not Full. I have to use HPL's Best PCMO Blends or top-tier Mobil-1 Blends to fend-off consumption.

I've owned many new vehicles. This one is most sensitive in telltale engine sounds and oil drinkabilities.
Dr. Frakenblend to the rescue. Thankfully I've been blending since 1970 and gotten real good at it.

 

[odie]

New reading yesterday evening . Hopefully remains the same for awhile .

 

[odie]

Drove about 30 miles and let it sit about 45 minutes in 40 degree temps and the oil level is the same as above .

 

[GR_CoB]

Yay! That is a lot of overthinking for a KIA Soul

 

[odie]

Checked again last night and LEVEL is at FULL mark . It was driven for 22 miles and took a look about 2 hours later and used old method of checking the LEVEL , not what's stated in owner's manual ( Below ) .

 

[odie]

Wrong picture ( above ) for OIL LEVEL of bottle .

 

[KrisZ]

As long as the level is between the min and max lines, there is nothing to worry about. I would not overthink the measuring method. Just pick one and stick with it.

I personally prefer to check the level with a cold engine, usually after it sat overnight. I get the most consistent reading this way and the dipstick is usually easier to read as well.

 

[odie]

Cold usually is the method I use . LEVEL is holding at FULL for now .

 

[repairman54]

As long as the level is between the min and max lines, there is nothing to worry about. I would not overthink the measuring method. Just pick one and stick with it.

I personally prefer to check the level with a cold engine, usually after it sat overnight. I get the most consistent reading this way and the dipstick is usually easier to read as well.

Exactly. It's a minimum and maximum line today, not a full line. That's why modern dipsticks don't say full on them anymore.
Some engines refilled with the specified amount of oil will never read at the maximum line, some do depending on makers calibration of the dipstick.
Just like driving, keep it between the lines Jimmy.

 

[odie]

Other new '25 SOUL has same oil level from factory .

Newest SOUL purchased past week with low oil level on dipstick . Picture from 3/28/25

Other new NEW Soul purchased in mid October with low oil level . Pictures from 10/23/24 .

Will likely leave it at this level until oil / filter change around 1,000 miles .

 

[odie]

New reading yesterday evening . Hopefully remains the same for awhile .

View attachment 248342

Checked the oil level this past week and it remains the same since 1st O.C. done 11/1/24 . Hope to do oil / filter change within next few weeks . Weather permitting .

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I'm just going to say that the ark colored plastic dipstick thing for my old eyes sucks. The dots maybe help some.

Looks good and at least if you pick a consistent check method you'll know if issues. My future-daughter-in laws Tucson goes higher on dipstick due to fuel dilution and short trips.

 

[odie]

I'm just going to say that the ark colored plastic dipstick thing for my old eyes sucks. The dots maybe help some.

Looks good and at least if you pick a consistent check method you'll know if issues. My future-daughter-in laws Tucson goes higher on dipstick due to fuel dilution and short trips.

Same thing here with vision . The 2.0 Ltr. of the SOUL has M.P.I. and hopefully it'll have less or no fuel dilution that causes oil consumption . The '18 ACCENT had fuel high dilution and would burn it off on interstate round trips of 150 or more miles averaging 69 M.P.H.. After those it usually took about a few ounces to get it at the FULL mark .